Sydney Geisinger
Want to build a tree in your living room? How about a paper mache yeti? Meet Sydney, whose creativity and innovative spirit led her to paint and distribute pennies around her school, hoping that the small token would bring surprise and smiles to whomever took the time to pick up the little piece of copper. Sydney speaks in “we’s,” never claiming credit even for work she has clearly accomplished on her own. She stands up for others and is unconditionally compassionate, and her small gestures of kindness and benevolent spirit inspire others to move through life with the same acceptance and patience she shows to everyone she meets. If you find yourself at UC Santa Cruz in the years to come, be on the lookout for a shining spot in the sidewalk – you just might be blessed by one of Sydney’s pennies, reminding you to take risks and challenge yourself, because, as she says, you are probably capable of more than you could ever imagine.